Twisted Soul creates inspired fare

(Tofu-Moong Bean-Sesame dumplings from Twisted Soul)

Creative culinary fare inspired by ethnic and street foods from around the world can now be found on Raymond Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

Twisted Soul, that razzmatazz eatery "Inspired by Soul, Influenced by Flavor," officially opened its doors in the Arlington shopping district near Vassar College.

And I am soooo glad.

Owners Lee and Brenda Black have a great thing going here. Twisted Soul (great name, isn't it?) opened on the 400 block of the city's Main Street about a year and a half ago. While their effort to help revitalize a much-needed area of Poughkeepsie was applaudable, it was a tough location to make a go of it. I looked forward to eating their fare at the farmers market in Poughkeepsie every Friday during the season because it was in a much better area of Main Street.



Now this gem of a restaurant is in the newly remodeled area across from the old Juliet theater near Vassar College at 47 Raymond Ave. Twisted Soul now joins some of my favorite places to eat — Zorona, Kismat, Thai Spice, Saigon Cafe, Babycakes, the Beech Tree Grill and Dutch Cabin, among others — all within walking distance of each other. An ethnic foodie's dream come true!

I stopped in for a quick lunch Thursday, and the bright, clean space was very welcoming for a person dining alone. I settled into a high, comfortable chair in a bright shade of orange-red by a sleek black lacquered table and waited for my dumplings to arrive.

Owner Lee Black had the groove going on with music playing, a flat-screen TV behind the counter tuned in to an old episode of "Happy Days" and his affable personality.

After I perused the menu and placed my order, I sat back as another couple, who looked like they had been out jogging in the warm afternoon, came in for a bite to eat.

The woman exclaimed, "You have chopped salads? I love you!"

That's not all they have.

Twisted Soul features many "concepts," from salad, toppings and dressings, to dumplings, empanadas, noodles, corn arepa, signature drinks, smoothies and bubble tea. Nothing is more than $6.95 on the menu, unless you're really hungry and order 12 empanadas, which cost $20.


I sipped on one of the signature drinks as I waited — Ginger Lemonade with Basil Seeds. This was an awesome combination.

Lee told me how he soaks the basil seeds in Sprite for a while, which makes them tender and sweet. It's indigenous to India and Pakistan, he said, noting that he often stops at Krishna Groceries on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie for supplies (another one of my fave places).
The lemonade with basil seeds also comes in lavender. Mate Cocido, an Argentinean iced tea, and Chicha Morada, a Peruvian drink, are other specialty drinks.
And then there are the Bubble Milk Teas that come in a range of flavors from lychee to mango. A big fat straw is needed for these.



As a vegetarian, I was really glad to see a nice variety of options. The tofu dumplings, pictured above, were very good and satisfying. There were six of them served over a small mound of rice and topped with carrots, bean sprouts and scallions. Peanuts are optional. The dumplings were served with two sauces: a spicy Sriracha and a Thai sweet and sour. I made short work of both of those. Even though I ate in-house, the food was served in plastic to-go containers, which seems like a waste of resources. I took my bowl and lid home with me to reuse.
I got some spicy Kool Noodles with Tofu to go for later that evening. As I was paying my check, Lee gave me a purple Hawaiian sweet potato dumpling with young coconut and Chinese broccoli to try, which did not make the ride back to the office. It was very good — a nice texture and color with interesting flavor notes.

I 'm looking forward to a return visit.

Twisted Soul doesn't have a Web site, but you can contact Lee and Brenda at 845-705-5381. The restaurant is open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.

On another note, there is really cool artwork displayed there, too.

Twisted Soul first opened April 10 to host an art exhibit by Mill Street Loft faculty and alumnae.
"A Twisted Opening: Varied Works" features paintings, photos, encaustics and prints by Todd Poteet and Michael Gallo Farrell (faculty) and Leigh Bromer, Tina Spataro and Victoria Venditto (alumnae).

A shot from the opening looking toward the street entrance. That's Brenda behind the counter.

Here is some of the artwork currently on display that has a food theme:

Leigh Bromer has a series of photos featuring her Mom in a take on twisted domesticity.

Tina Spartaro's paintings look good enough to eat.

Michael's Salvador Dali-like photo is called "Egg on Stilts."

So for some far-out, inexpensive creative fusion fare in a great setting with art on the walls, you can't beat Twisted Soul's new Arlington location.